FRANKLIN – Nina Martin, of Franklin, 90, died of natural causes after a long illness Feb. 3, 2006. She was the daughter of Flora C. (Coombs) Gordon and Tyler A. Gordon. She was born Jan. 21, 1916, in North Sullivan, the sixth of 10 children, eight of whom lived to adulthood. Nina was educated in the Franklin school system and graduated from high school with honors in 1934. She was an active member of the Pomona Grange. She was married to the late Harry D. Martin of East Sullivan in 1935. Nina and Harry moved to Coventry, R.I. in 1945, where Nina established herself as a seamstress. She and Harry became active members of the Knotty Oak Baptist Church where they developed and led a Couples’ Club called the “Knotted Couples Club.” That club still operates today. Nina and Harry also instituted the auxiliary to the volunteer fire department, which provided many useful fire-fighting items for the town of Coventry. That group still flourishes to the present time. Nina was also a popular 4-H leader, teaching many girls sewing and home making skills. In 1959, Harry and Nina moved to southwestern Rhode Island where they both revived their gardening skills, producing vegetables, flowers and beautiful flowering trees. They became active members of the Second Baptist Church, in North Stonington, Conn. The church conducted a Christian school for which Harry and Nina helped support in numerous fund raising efforts until Harry’s death in 1987. Nina returned to Franklin in 1992 and lived at Pinebrook Apartments until this past September, when she became a resident of Mountain Vista, a recently opened family care facility. She had become a member of the Franklin Baptist Church and had also joined the Ladies’ Guild where she was an active member. Nina is survived by her daughter, Flora C. Martin of Haverhill, Mass.; her son, Paul F. Martin of Houston, Texas; two adult grandchildren, Robert Martin of New London, Conn. and Barbara (Martin) Stringham of Saunderstown, R.I.; one great-grandchild, Andrew; and many nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews. Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, 215 Main St., Ellsworth. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Franklin Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Steven Sobel. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice or to the Franklin Baptist Church, P.O. Box 114, Franklin, ME 04634-0114.
NINA MARTIN
